Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) - Chris Columbus

As the Christmas period begins, there's no better way to celebrate than by sitting through the entire Harry Potter collection. The young actors have room to improve but as we know they go on to prove themselves and come on... it is Christmas.

★★★★

The Worlds End (2013) - Edgar Wright

Simon Pegg. Edgar Wright. Nick Frost. These three people should never stop coming together to make apocalyptical-horror-style comedies. Another home run.

★★★★

300 (2006) - Zack Snyder

Historical inaccuracy aside, everyone seems to have forgotten how great 300 is. Epicly produced, epicly acted, and epicly symbolic in its climax; something comic book adaptions are severely lacking in recently.

★★★★

Jurassic Park 3 (2001) - Joe Johnston

Despite its heavy flaws, Jurassic Park 3 is criminally underrated. It holds impeccable action sequences, jumps and thrills, which feel neither rehashed nor over the top considering its threequel status. Just try not to use common sense in regards to the plot. 

★★★

The Thing (1982) - John Carpenter

Did you ever watch the original Halloween (1978), notice its plethora of flaws, and wonder how in hell John Carpenter was ever considered one of the great masters of horror? Well... The Thing is why. Clothed in both hope and hopelessness, this multi-dimensionally constructed classic is pieced together with absolute perfection considering its haunting complexities. The sickening special effects cradled by expertly crafted tension and paranoia will send shivers down the most hardened of spines.

★★★★★

Nanny McPhee and The Big bang (2010) - Susanna White

A waste of time to say the least and anyone forced to sit through will not only witness dire storytelling, but the most hellacious example of parenting in the history of cinema.

★★

Frankenweenie (2012) - Tim Burton

A vast improvement over the majority of his outings, Tim Burton unleashes a visual breath of fresh air in Frankenweenie (even if he does insist on reverting back to that ridiculous skinny leg aesthetic...).

★★★★

Epic (2013) - Chris Wedge

Despite the archetypal characters and the film using all its "epic" up by the first act, this is a fun and inventive piece and worth watching if only for its stunning visuals.... And the snail/slug duo.

★★★

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) - Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise

Some excellent subject matter on display here but you can't help but feel that it could have had more to say were it not so safely "Disnified". Still, it's impossibly enjoyable... as always.

★★★ 

Beauty and the Beast (1991) - Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise

Potentially the most gripping Fairy Tale project to come out of Disney. Full Stop.

★★★★

Underworld (2003) - Len Wiseman

 Underworld hurls two of mankind's favourite beasties, emblazoned with engaging mythos, against each other in a modern battle-ground and does so in the sexiest way possible.

★★★★

Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) - Steve Box and Nick Park

Although Curse of the Were-Rabbit lacks a genuinely dark antagonist (present in previous Wallace and Gromit outings) this dive into feature film has been executed superbly by Aardman Animations and the horror theme merged with its wonderfully British humour is more than enough to make up for it.

★★★★ 

Mean Girls (2004) - Mark Waters

As chick flicks go this certainly falls into the A-stream. It has so many quotable gems that it can be enjoyed by pretty much anyone, regardless of age of gender.

★★★★

Aladdin (1992) - Ron Clements and John Musker

Superb character acting on the part of the Genie (Robin Williams) and as ever Disney delivers on pretty much all fronts even if the others characters are overshadowed.

★★★★

Spring Breakers (2012) - Harmony Korine

Not even Franco's terrifyingly brilliant acting and the artistic shooting style were enough to save this hour and a half long jumbled montage of close-ups. May as well have been written by a 14 year old boy exposed to stoner movies too young and whose only experience of women comes from shoddy internet porn.

★

Gigi (1958) - Vincente Minnelli

A charming little tale, even if nothing of actual interest takes place. It does manage to hold your attention however... or at least for a while... until the pleasantly lullabylic tunes rock you gently to sleep.

★★★

Insidious (2010) - James Wan

A lot of the fear is lost as this horror takes a trip down fantasy lane. Even though this shift made a nice change its execution was continuously sloppy.

★★

Monster University (2013) - Dan Scanlon

Initially the pacing feels rushed but thankfully Pixar quickly layer the film together with heart and timing at the end, making up for any worries you might have had. A pointless prequel but that's not to say it isn't a great watch.

★★★★  

The Conjuring (2013) - James Wan

Genuinely terrifying and evolves from the standard haunting/possession flick into something that feels like all-out war between good and evil.

★★★★

Oz the Great and Powerful (2013) - Sam Raimi

Aside from one heart-wrenchingly powerful moment in the opening magic show scene, Oz the Great and Powerful falls incredibly flat. A dead movie clothed in nostalgia to hide the fact it's merely a vehicle for the nauseating 3D gimmick.

★★